The Boomer Consumer is dedicated to helping boomers get what they want in life through using consumer information, making effective choices, and sharing their own experiences.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..

By Rita R. Robison During the big snowstorm in January, I had problems. My power was out for four days. I live in a neighborhood with underground wiring. We’re always the last ones to get our power restored. I don’t think Puget Sound Energy did a good job in communicating with the public about the […]
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By Rita R. Robison Thursday, Feb. 17, is the deadline for submitting your comments to state regulators on Puget Sound Energy proposed rate increases. PSE has requested $160 million a year in new electricity revenues and $33 million a year in natural gas revenues. This would result in an increase of 8.1 percent, or $8.37 […]
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By Rita R. Robison When my power was out for four days in last week’s snowstorm, I thought a lot about Puget Sound Energy and its performance since the energy company was purchased by a conglomeration of foreign investors in 2009. Will PSE’s efforts to restore power during the snowstorm draw more consumers to its […]
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State regulatory staff are proposing granting only a fraction of the revenues Puget Sound Energy is seeking in its latest electric and natural gas rate increase request. In testimony filed today, staff members of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission are recommending PSE be allowed to raise electric rates by only $39 million a year […]
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By Rita R. Robison State regulators filed a complaint today against Puget Sound Energy, alleging violations of an order directing the utility to correctly apply requirements when customers have had their service disconnected and want to reconnect. These rules protect consumers who aren’t able to pay their energy bills, need to be reconnected, and need […]
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By Rita R. Robison It’s officially fall now, and the cold winter will be here soon. Fall and winter can bring rainstorms, below freezing temperatures, and snow storms that put a strain on your home. Before the cold weather hits, make sure your home is prepared for winter. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance offers these steps, most […]
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By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist My last post was on a new Energy Star program which designates the top 5 percent of appliances in their categories as the “most efficient.” The pilot program includes clothes washers, heating and cooling equipment, televisions, and refrigerator-freezers. When I read a fact sheet about the new designation […]
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By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Energy Star products recognized as the most energy-efficient in their categories are now being called “most efficient.” “This new designation will help Americans save money and cut pollution by quickly pointing them to the best Energy Star products have to offer,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson […]
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By Gretchen Marks, Marketing Vice President, Washington Energy Services Guest Blogger If you’re like most people, you have a wish list of home improvement projects. But how should you evaluate contractors to do the work? Washington Energy Services, a local company that sells energy efficient home improvement products and services, offers this list of the top 10 questions […]
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By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist Telecommunications companies rose to the top of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission’s consumer complaint list in 2010. Energy companies dropped to second. The commission’s Consumer Protection Help Line opened 722 complaints against telephone companies for billing disputes, disconnect threats, quality of service, and customer service issues. In 2009, […]
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Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..